Speakers
See the list below to learn more about the diverse team of medical professionals who will be hosting today’s workshops.
Dr. Anita Phillips
Nationally acclaimed trauma therapist, and In The Light Podcast Host, Dr. Anita Phillips is recognized for her ground-breaking work at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture. This versatile and dynamic speaker is bringing mental health and illness to the forefront in communities of faith and strengthening racial unity in body of Christ.
Dr. Anita holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Regent University and Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Phillips is most proud of her anticipated book release (Fall 2023) -“The Garden Within: Where the War with Your Emotions Ends and Your Most Powerful Life Begins”
Reverend Dr. Heber Brown
Reverend Dr. Heber Brown, III is a husband, father, and change maker who has been a catalyst for personal and social change for more than twenty years.
From 2008-2022, he served as Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Under his leadership, the church grew tremendously and garnered national attention for its innovative approach to ministry. While serving as pastor, Dr. Brown founded Orita’s Cross Freedom School, which is a program that reconnects Black youth to their African heritage while providing them hands-on learning opportunities to spark their creative genius and build vocational skills.
Additionally, in 2015 he launched the Black Church Food Security Network a multi-state alliance of approximately 100 congregations working together to grow food, purchase from Black farmers and partner to co-create Black food ecosystems to inspire health, wealth and power in the Black Community.
Dr. Gayle Jones
Dr. Gayle Jones, MA, FCN, RN is a speaker, author, registered nurse and master’s prepared health educator. She has spoken on blog-talk radio and various speaking platforms locally. nationally and internationally (Cuba, Peru). As an engaging inspirational speaker. She receives raving reviews from her audiences. As a teacher of health wisdom in the classroom, in business settings, in churches or other speaking platforms, Dr. Jones impacts audiences with transformational outcomes and infectious positive energy. Her unique preparation as a baccalaureate-trained registered nurse and Doctor of naturopathy makes her bilingual in the language of medical/nursing science and naturopathy.
Dr. Jones is the President and Chief Wellness Attraction Ambassador of Wellness Attraction Enterprises LLC. God has given her the tongue of the learned for she knows how to teach a word in season to those who are sick and tired of being sick, those who are well and desire to remain well, and those who don’t know what they don’t know about prospering and being well in their spirit, soul and body.
Pamela Creekmur
Pamela Creekmur is a native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She attended Howard University for her undergraduate degree in Nursing and Denver Seminary for a master’s degree in leadership. She completed the Discipleship and Counseling Training for Lay Counselors in 2003 following the completion of the Self Confrontation course. She is trained in the use of the Scriptures and principles of biblical counseling. Pamela is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative rule of faith and standard of conduct according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. With several years of teaching the 12-week Self Confrontation course at her former church, she recently began offering the training to churches in the community with great success. Pamela is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden where she serves an instructor within the Congregational Care Department and Altar Counselor/certifier. After a 30-year career in healthcare including serving as the former Health Officer for Prince George’s County, Pamela’s personal mission is to support her family, church and community in growing forward in a positive and intentional way. She is the owner of Creekmur Solutions, a coaching and consulting organization that provides services for churches, public sector, community organizations and individuals.
Pamela lives in Prince George’s County with her husband of 40 years, J.C. Together they have a grown daughter, Rachael and son-in-love, Daron.
Dr. Saadia Griffith-Howard
Saadia Griffith-Howard, M.D., FIDSA, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. A 30-year veteran of medicine, Dr. Griffith-Howard has extensive experience providing direct patient care in the ambulatory and inpatient setting. She has been part of hospital Infection Control and Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committees. At Mid Atlantic Permanente Medical Group /Kaiser Permanente she held positions as Chair of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Director of Medical Specialties. Most recently she completed a ten-year appointment as the Regional Medical Director of Patient Safety, Risk Management and Medical-Legal Affairs, as well as working in Emergency and Disaster Management planning related to the organizational response to anthrax and COVID-19.
Dr. Griffith-Howard enjoys volunteering with organizations that provide expertise and partnership where needed. She also volunteers with her church distributing food to community members and as a reading tutor for elementary school children. She’s an amateur cellist and is also raising honeybees in a local park.
Reverend Dr. Donald Shell
Rev. Dr. Donald Shell completed his medical residency training in Community Health and Family Medicine at Howard University and fellowship training in Primary Care Sports Medicine and Adult Fitness Fellowship at Marshall University. Rev. Dr. Shell completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Capital Bible Seminary. His career includes practicing Family and Sports Medicine, Health Policy, Population Health, and Public Health in private, university, hospital, local, state and federal settings. Dr. Shell also serves as a community health strategy educator and coach.
Dr. Shell has previously held faculty appointments at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, at the rank of Associate in the Department of Health Policy and Management, and previously at the rank of Clinical Instructor in the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Marshall University Departments of Family Medicine.
Deaconess Elisa Gilmore
Certified Mental First Aid Instructor. Skilled in Professional Training, Organizational Leadership, Career Development, Youth Development, Coaching and Mental Health Education.
James Tate
Author | Health Minister | Holistic Wellness Practitioner
Kwesi Sebastian
Sous Chef/Personal Chef
Professional Chef that is very passionate about Food & Beverage. Has over 14 years of experience in the kitchen, and is still excited, enthused & impassioned. After working for 14 in the industry, he is very excited to be able to share knowledge & expertise with new and old colleagues, as well as expand his horizons to include more and more Hospitality Experience.
Shenee Cotton
Chef/Owner/Founder of Cotton Creations
Cotton Creations is a lifestyle brand focused on providing healthier food alternatives in the plant-based space. We specialize in plant-based cuisine and products. We believe food is medicine. So it is our mission to provide our customers with healthier options that will help provide a better quality of life without compromising on the taste.
Romona Wiltshire
Fitness Consultant
Joyce McKinnon
Fitness Consultant
Sempei Precious Smith
Fitness Consultant
This information is solely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and it is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a professional medical care provider. We make no warranties concerning the information shared during any portion of this event or by any of the presenters. If you believe you are experiencing a health-related event that requires immediate attention, please take appropriate steps to access your local emergency medical care system, or dial 911, where applicable.